DIY 3D-Printed Drill Press Can Use a Dremel or Similar Rotary Tool for Drilling Tiny Holes

Chances are if you are in the business of making your own printed circuit boards by the truckload, or even several a month, you probably…

Chances are if you are in the business of making your own printed circuit boards by the truckload, or even several a month, you probably have a drill press for drilling mounting holes and other applications. If not, you are probably drilling the holes by hand, which can lead to broken drill bits, cracked PCBs, or even a hole through the hand (it happens more often than you think). To help get around those issues, DIY columnist Daumemo designed a novel 3D-printed drill press that uses a Dremel or other rotary tool for drilling small diameter holes (0.2mm to 3mm).

The 3D-printed desktop drill press features a base with a removable table for securing the workpiece, and a lever for actuating the rotary tool. (📷: Daumemo)

“The need for such device arose when I had to drill some holes in a home-made PCB and almost always doing it with a regular drill the drill bit just would break. So, I needed a tool to hold down the drill, and as PCB drilling is better done with high RPMs — an idea of a Dremel holding mechanism came to mind.”

The 3D-printed desktop drill press offers a straightforward design, and features a base with a removable table to switch-out drill bits and to secure the workpiece. It also has a 3D-printed frame for holding and locking in the rotary tool, as well as a lever for raising and lowering the drill head, much in the same fashion as larger machines.

Duamemo has provided a complete walkthrough of the 3D-printed desktop drill press with everything needed to replicate the build — including the part list and .STL files for your 3D printer. Duamemo also warns that ABS filament was used for this build, which flexes a bit while in use and will require some maintenance. As such, a stiffer filament such as PLA should help to provide a more stable platform.